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The pandemic has changed our lives and introduced new challenges at each step. Not only are we in the world of masks and sanitisers, but COVID-19 has forced us to rethink personal decisions too. Pregnancy, for instance, is at stake for most couples now.
Recent reports coming in from Brazil reveal that their government asked women to delay their pregnancy if ‘possible’.
In his recent statement, Raphael Camara, the secretary of primary health care of the Brazilian health ministry requested women to delay conception “a bit to a better time so that (they) can have a more peaceful pregnancy.”
Women Told To Consider Delaying Pregnancy ‘To a better time’
Amid the rising coronavirus cases, women in Brazil have been told to delay their pregnancies. | Image courtesy: Pixabay
Brazil took the decision at a time when their country is fighting with the new variant of coronavirus, which is more aggressive in pregnant women, according to CNN.
However, Camara noted, “We cannot say this to those who are 42, 43 years old, of course. But for a young woman who can, the best thing is to wait for a little.”
While women in Brazil are being told to delay their pregnancies, the Singapore government is encouraging women to have children. Part of the reason is their competent handling of the pandemic and the low fertility rate. In fact, Singapore government has been offering incentives to encourage couple to become parents.
Singapore’s ‘Pandemic Baby Bonus’
Last year in October 2020, the Singapore government announced the pandemic baby bonus. This was a one-off payment to encourage people to have babies. The aim was to encourage couples to go ahead with family planning at a time when the economy was in doldrums.
The government has been worried because citizens have been putting off parenthood. Also, Singapore has one of the lowest birth rates in the world, which it has struggled to boost for decades.
So, considering these two different situations, if you are forced to think, “Is it is safe to get pregnant during COVID?” you are not alone. The pandemic is indeed a scary situation to be in and deciding to get pregnant is a tough call.
But if you wish to go ahead with your decision of conceiving, we’ll guide you on how to go about it.
Is It Safe To Be Pregnant During COVID-19?
There are a lot of factors that you need to consider before taking the final call. Yes, age is the crucial factor, but you will also have to look at other factors. But for Singaporeans planning a pregnancy, the answer is yes. It is safe to get pregnant now.
And if you are on this journey, we have curated a list of 9 practical tips that’ll come in handy.
1. Consult your gynaecologist
Consulting your doctor before you get pregnant is all the more important amid the global pandemic. Your doctor can help you with a list of dos and don’ts to follow, keeping in mind the COVID-19 situation.
Your doctor will be able to suggest prenatal vitamins and a routine checkup chart. A proper medical consultation can also help you understand if you need to make any additional lifestyle changes to ensure a successful pregnancy.
2. Tests before pregnancy
There are certain tests that need to be done if you are thinking of getting pregnant. A detailed physical exam is needed, to check pre-exiting medical conditions like Thyroid, obesity, diabetes, and/or hormonal problems. You will be checked for your height, weight, and blood pressure as well.
Keeping in mind, we are in the middle of the pandemic, it is also advisable to go a COVID-19 test, if you feel the onset of any symptoms.
3. Boost your immunity
The coronavirus pandemic has made us realise the importance of boosted immunity. We have realised that the only way to fight against any infection is to have strong immunity.
From improving your lifestyle to your diet, there are various ways in which you can boost your immunity. You could also opt for over-the-counter vitamins and minerals to help with this.
4. Make lifestyle changes
You should start a healthy lifestyle before you become pregnant. | Image courtesy: Pixabay
Make changes to your lifestyle. Start small so that you don’t feel burdened and leave it midway. Make small changes to your lifestyle, like quit smoking and control drinking.
The coronavirus pandemic has made all our lives very stressful. Think of ways to de-stress. Include some daily exercises, you can either go for a jog or do some yoga. This will help you to not only catch some fresh air, but it will also replenish your natural Vitamin D dose.
5. Eat healthy
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If you are planning for a baby, then make sure to have a healthy diet (Photo courtesy: Pixabay)
If you are planning to get pregnant, you need to concentrate on eating healthy. Eliminate junk from your diet and replace it with healthy nutrients. Try adding more colours in the form of fresh vegetables and fruits. Drink plenty of water and always stay hydrated.
Make sure your Body Mass Index (BMI) is normal (between 18.5 and 24.9). If you are overweight, then it is very important to reduce a few pounds. Being overweight and obese can affect your fertility.
6. Check your finances
Having a baby is a big decision and it is an expensive affair. There needs to be proper planning for it. Right from the birth of a child till their education, as parents, you need to make good financial planning.
If you haven’t started saving yet, it’s high time you do and really list the pregnancy expenses point-by-point.
7. Get that health insurance
Having a baby is expensive. From pre-pregnancy checkups to pregnancy scans, to post-pregnancy care of the mum and baby. There is a lot on your plate.
Therefore, you’ll need to cross-check all the minute details to check what all is covered in your health insurance plan. If you don’t have a health insurance plan, this is the time to opt for one. You can choose one that covers you to navigate prenatal care, labour and delivery, and the bills that will ultimately follow.
8. Check the status of your leave
Check with your respective organisation on the number of maternity and paternity leaves you can take. In case the situation demands where you may have to leave your job for sometime, will your company accommodate you back?
You need to understand your company’s policies and your country’s laws to get an accurate picture of how maternity leave will affect your bottom line.
9. Draft a pre-baby budget
Once you get an idea of how much will be covered under the insurance, you can then plan your budget accordingly. Remember that babies come with plenty of expenses. Right from baby food to their vaccination, pretty much everything can be expensive. Therefore, keep your spending under control and properly budgeted.
Yes, the pandemic has made this a stressful time for couples wanting to conceive. But as long as you remain aware of the safety measures, follow up on your health checkups and make your lifestyle healthy, there isn’t really much to worry about.
News Source: Hindustan Times
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